"But I have a book of magic
which teaches me strange things. Do you promise?"
"Oh, yes; I promise," answered the butterfly; "for even as your
slave I will get some enjoyment out of life, while should you kill
me--that is the end of everything!"
"Truly," said the mandarin, "butterflies have no souls, and
therefore cannot live again."
"But I have enjoyed three lives already," returned the butterfly,
with some pride. "I have been a caterpillar and a chrysalis before I
became a butterfly. You were never anything but a Chinaman, although
I admit your life is longer than mine."
"I will extend your life for many days, if you will obey me,"
declared the Chinaman. "I can easily do so by means of my magic."
"Of course I will obey you," said the butterfly, carelessly.
"Then, listen! You know children, do you not?--boys and girls?"
"Yes, I know them. They chase me, and try to catch me, as you have
done," replied the butterfly.
"And they mock me, and jeer at me through the window," continued the
mandarin, bitterly. "Therefore, they are your enemies and mine! But
with your aid and the help of the magic book we shall have a fine
revenge for their insults.
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